CenterFielder ~ Chidobe Awuzie ~ Colorado Buffaloes ~ 5116/203

Old Roles are getting dramatically transformed, and virtually every Front 7 ~ or Front 6!! ~ Defensive Job Description is transitioning into an Hybrid Role where the Defender is asked to excel in multiple Roles and in multiple Fronts.

For that reason, and in order to offer NomenClature that speaks not to archaic, obsolete "Positions", but rather to Skill Sets that accurately reflect the dynamic Changes of the 21st Century Game and the Roles they have spawned, I have undertaken to craft Terminology that is designed to break Skill Sets down as they really are.

Defensive Coordinators have, since Time Immemorial, employed highly creative terminology in devising Defenses and in designating Assignments. In that Spirit, I have admittedly indulged myself considerably in devising the following NomenClature. It is undeniably colorful, but I like to think that there's an underlying Logic, as well:

CenterFielders ~ This is my term for "Free Safeties", as I find the application of the term "Safety" ~ a limp, lame term, to put it kindly ~ to be an Asinine Appellation for a Gladiator. The Prototype would be about 5110/200 or so.

CenterFielders are indeed the Last Line of Defense. But I sense that with the increasing Hybridization of Skill Sets in the Years to come, it will be advantageous for Teams to seek CenterFielders who can not only act as a Reserve Defender in Support of their CornerBacks, but who can ~ at a moment's notice, if need be ~ flip into Direct Coverage.

CenterFielders, like RoverBacks and Gryphons, are Hybrids, tasked both with Pass Coverage and Run Defense. Unlike Rovers and Gryphons, however, CenterFielders are expected to prioritize Pass Defense. As such, I'll be breaking my Evaluations down along the same lines as with the others, but with a decidedly divergent Emphasis:

Agility: Impressive and potentially tremendous. Outstanding Closing Speed but mediocre Fluidity and Ricochet, yet his outstanding Numbers on the Short Shuttle and 3 Cone Drill suggest far more untapped Fluidity and Ricochet than is evident on the Field of Battle. If he's smart enough to take up Pilates or Yoga, he could improve immensely.

Processing Speed: Tremendous, and this is one of the biggest Reasons why I'm projecting Awuzie to CenterFielder.

Pass Coverage: Impressive. Effective in Off Coverage or Zone, though his Efficacy is limited by his mediocre Ricochet and Fluidity, but exceptional in Press Coverage, where his Combat Skills and Long Speed play to Advantage.

CatchPoint Capacity: Excellent. Awuzie would get far lower Grades, I'm certain, from every other Evaluator out there, that is if anyone else even had such a Category, because he only picked off 3 Interceptions in his College Career...But the way that I see it is that Awuzie is a Defensive Back, not a WideOut: His Job is to stop Passes, not catch them.

Awuzie is hobbled by a shorter WingSpan, but his Tracking & Timing is tremendous, his Vertical Agility is outstanding, and his Combat Skills and Ferocity are terrific. He defeats Passes, and that is what impacts FootBall Games.

Any Interceptions are just Gravy.

Chidobe Awuzie ~ Prospectus

I'd give Chidobe Awuzie a Warrior Rank and 2nd Round Grade as a Press Coverage CornerBack. But as a CenterFielder?

Beast, baby.

1st Rounder.

Awuzie's combination of Processing Speed, Field Vision, and Closing Speed are awesome.

And his Run Support Game is phenomenal.

He was born to play CenterFielder.

Pay the Man!!

Grateful Thanks, as always, for the invaluable Work done by the folks atDraft BreakDown!!​​

Yank Rank: Beast ~ Blue Chip Bargain!!

Market Value

#60

Yankee Grade

1st Round!!

Please do Note: This and all Evaluations issued by this Site are produced by a ludicrously unqualified Amateur, privy to not even the tiniest fraction of Coach's Tape, Scouting Expertise, Face to Face Interviewing, Experience, or Inside Information enjoyed by the Professionals. As such, anything put forth is certainly misinformed, euphonious, derivative Tripe, and should be rejected out'f hand and indeed shunned by all men and women of Good Will!! I'm trying to discern Power, Agility, Combat Skills, and far more abstract, esoteric Concepts such as Processing Speed and Motor, and I'm trying to do so based almost entirely on a fascinating fusion of Tape, Combine Numbers, and Pro Days, while trying to attenuate my findings based on Allowances for Competition Level, Scheme, Concept, Context, and, above all: Trajectory!!

None of this is even remotely a Complaint, mind you, but rather a Warning!! Caveat Emptor!